Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-25

siderable land that can not be titled to
good advantage, bnt which will produce
grass suitable for pasturage. A farmer
should feel that his pastures are a very
important part of his possessions. Many
of the old hill pastures of the east which
were once rich and productive, are now
"worn out" lands. When these were
first cleaned up the timber was of little
or no value, and it was burned off. In
this operation much of the organic mat
ter was lost to the soil, and there was left
a great quantity of ash or minerals. The
land was very likely sown to rye for some
time and then seeded to grass, Finally
it was turned into pasture, and after
being devoted to building up animal car
casses for many years, got run out, -
and has grown up TO bushes.
It would seem good policy to turn the
old, rough mountain and hill tops back
into wood again. To do this, plant seed
of the best trees that grow there.
Along the foot hills of some mountains
are some lands which are too good to be
turned buck into forests. There is but
little brush upon them, and hence so
much clearing would not be required as
would be in the former situations. It
would pay in some cases to buy fertilizers
and apply to such pastures; but if one
has not the means to do this, let him
turn in his farrow COWS, oxen, etc. As
the object is to reclaim this land, do not
allow the young animals or mich COWS
here, for they will cake from the pasture
much more than the other animals. The
young stock require a great amount of
valuable elements for building up their
frames, aad the mich cow not only
turns great quantities into milk, but
much is lost from the pasture in the
manure which she deposits in the barn,
where she is taken to be MIXED.
Sheep are considered even better than
cattle, for they are not so particular what
they eat, and their manure is much bet
ter distributed over the ground. By
feeding them little grain, not only will
the sheep be aided, but richer manure
will be secured for fertilizing this sworn
out" land. Sow grass seed on the poor
spots of the pasture. If it is decided not
to put sheep into these pastures, then
tear out all the brush and burn it, and
after this is done seed down the whole.
There are some pasture lands that can
well be brought under the pillow. Put in
some rye with the grass seed, and then
fertilize. This can be done on small
piece at time without taking the cattle
from pasturage. On all side hills, whore
there is liability to wash, make the Ian
as mellow as possible. This will allow
the water to percolate through, so as not
to form rivUlets. The Hollanders take
great pains with their pastures, top-dress
ing them every two or three years. But
the location of some of Our pasture lands
is such that we cannot well afford to top
dress as they do in Holland.
Though seemingly a small matter, it is
important that farmers go ever their
pastures and break the deposits of the
cattle, which are left in heaps, and spread
them over the land. A point to guard
against is oversize cking pasture. Never
put on more animals than the land will
support, unless the feed here obtained be
supplemented by some that nay be
brought them, as in the case of the sheep
referred to. If the pasture be very large,
fence it off into smaller parts, changing
the cattle from one field to another; this
will give the cattle new range and the
land rest.